Q&A: Lauren Maney George ’96

On January 28, 2023, five Holy Cross women’s basketball alumnae will have their jerseys hung in the rafters of the Hart Center Arena forever, in honor of their significant impact on and off the court as a part of the storied women's basketball program.

Number 4 — Lauren Maney George ’96 — will be one of those five honored with the retirement of her jersey. A 1996 United Press honorable mention All-American, she ranks fifth all-time at Holy Cross in points scored (1,721), scoring average (14.3) and field goals made (704), earning three Patriot League championships (1993, 1995, 1996) and two Patriot League Player of the Year awards (1995, 1996). A member of the Patriot League All-Decade Team for the 1990s and Patriot League 25th Anniversary Team, Maney George reflected on her time at Holy Cross.

Q: You, along with three others, hold the single-game program and Hart Center record with nine steals. You set it back on November 27, 1994 versus UNH — if you remember that game, can you talk about that and your performance? 

A: I somewhat remember the UNH game and I recall having a very tenacious full-court press that probably led to a lot of those steals. Our team had some very quick and athletic players who took pride in their defense, so the steals were a product of everybody working together to force UNH into some tough situations and being in the right place at the right time.  

Q: In 1995, you were the Patriot League Tournament MVP. What were those battles that set the stage for your next season, when you were the Patriot League Player and Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as well as an honorable mention All-American — and what did you work on that offseason that improved your game?

A: The excitement and pride we all felt in winning the Patriot League Championship in 1995 was all the motivation we needed to put in the work toward a repeat in 1996. The offseason workouts helped us develop physically in our strength and endurance and the spring pickup games were always intense and allowed everybody the opportunity to develop their individual basketball skills. I recall that some of the offseason workouts were actually a blast, including playing ultimate frisbee and water polo. I think our team had great chemistry and respect for each other, so while we had lots of laughs together off the court (and definitely some on the court too), when it came to workouts, we were all locked in and working hard. Thankfully the work paid off and we were able to cut the nets down again in 1996.  

Q: You were inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame with your former teammate Kathleen Courtney in 2009. What did it mean to you to be enshrined with your teammate — and now, 14 years later, to have your jersey retired with her as well?

A: I feel a certain bond with all of my former teammates, but the relationship I have with Kathleen is extra special and I could not be any happier about sharing these two honors with her. Our friendship goes back 30 years when she stayed with me on her recruiting visit, and we have been close ever since.  While both of us are very appreciative of the accolades that have been bestowed, we both share the same passion and gratitude for our basketball experience at Holy Cross. We both truly LOVED our time at Holy Cross and could never get bored of talking hoops or watching old highlight videos together. I feel blessed that we have remained so close over the years. Kath was obviously a great basketball player, but she is an even better person.  

Q: Did you choose your jersey number? If so, is there any significance to it?

A: I did choose my jersey number, but I had to wait a year to get it, because a senior, Meghan Sullivan, had #4 when I got to Holy Cross, so I was #21 as a freshman. The #4 was always my favorite number as a kid, so even back in middle school, I always tried to get the number in any sport I played. I am happy to say that I've passed the love of #4 to my daughter, who now wears it as well.

Q: What would you say to your younger self?

A: The passing of time definitely helps put things into perspective, so I think the most important message I would tell my younger self is to treat every game the same. I definitely was very competitive and super intense, which I think mostly worked to my advantage, but sometimes I would get so hyped up about a particular opponent or must-win type of game that I actually performed worse than if I had just treated it like any other game. The mental side of sports is so incredibly important, which I never fully appreciated in the moment.  

Q: How did your experiences at Holy Cross prepare you for a career in the U.S. Attorney’s office? 

A: My experiences at Holy Cross prepared me well for my career at the US Attorney's Office, as I approach my job in the same way that I approached my college experience. Being a student-athlete at Holy Cross required a strong work ethic, discipline in time management and working together as a team. At the US Attorney's Office, I am often juggling numerous investigations at the same time, working with various law enforcement partners, and then have to kick it up a notch when a case gets indicted or goes to trial. In both, I am doing something that I am passionate about and feel a sense of pride in what I do.

Q: Why do you love Holy Cross?

A: It's hard to put into words why I love Holy Cross, but mostly I would say it is because of the people that I met along the way. I've always loved playing basketball and pushing myself as a student, and Holy Cross provided both, but more important were the people I shared those experiences with that made it all so meaningful. Coach Gibbons was an amazing basketball coach, who just really promoted the "team is family" mentality to go along with his corny sense of humor, and it provided such a great foundation for the basketball program and the college experience as a whole.  The assistant coaches, Kelly Greenberg and Tia Doyle, were always so insightful and encouraging and willing to go over film or run through an individual workout or do whatever they could to help us develop as athletes. Obviously these same coaches were responsible for recruiting the team and bringing in players who were good people above all. The fact that I've stayed close with all these coaches and so many teammates for all these years says everything. And I had the added benefit of meeting my husband at Holy Cross as well.

Q: Do you have a message to the future generations of Crusaders?

A: My message to future Crusaders would be to make the most of your time at Holy Cross, because when it ends, there is never anything quite like it again in life. Work hard, but enjoy the moment and build relationships that will pass the test of time. 

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 

Be sure to follow the Holy Cross women's basketball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!

Twitter - @HCrossWBB | @goholycross

Instagram - @hcrosswbb | @goholycross

Facebook - Holy Cross Women's Basketball | Holy Cross Athletics

YouTube - GoHolyCross